Paczki (Polish Doughnuts)

Filled or unfilled, Paczki are delicious either way! Paczki are best eaten the day they are made.

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk
• 1 package yeast
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 stick butter, melted
• 4 egg yolks and 1 whole egg, well beaten
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons brandy or rum
• About 5 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• Confectioners' sugar (optional)
• Fruit jam* (for filling - optional)

Instructions

1. Scald milk and cool to lukewarm. Dissolve yeast in milk. Add the 2 cups flour and beat well. Let stand for 30 minutes.
2. Add melted butter, egg and egg yolks, sugar, salt and brandy or rum. Beat well.
3. Add about 4 cups of flour and mix well. Take 1 more cup of flour and add enough so you can handle dough. Grease a little and let rise to double.
4. Empty out onto board; pat or roll. Cut and lay on wax paper until raised to double and fry in deep fat.
5. Inject filling if desired.
6. Dip into confectioners' glaze while hot, if desired, or sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.

Notes

Rose hip jam is the traditional filling, although prune filling is also used.